How to Write a Query Letter

You’ve Finished Writing a Book – Now What?

The first step is to congratulate yourself, writing a novel is no easy feat! Pat yourself on the back, pop a bottle of champagne and do a victory dance. However, finishing the book is not the final step – there is still work to be done.

Burn House Publishing is one of many book publishing companies that does not accept manuscripts directly from authors. In fact, common practice in the industry is that most publishers require the initial contact to be through a literary agency.

While there are other ways to publish your novel (such as self-publication), authors find the most success growing their readership through the traditional system. In order to get your book in the hands of a traditional publishing company, you’ll need to have an agent representing you.

The question remains: How do I find a literary agent? There is a simple, time-tested, and widely accepted method of reaching out to literary agents and that is through the art of the query letter. A query letter is the first step to being able to get your manuscript published.

How NOT to Write a Query Letter

We’ll be the first to admit that finding a balance between sticking out and blending in can be incredibly difficult when writing your first query letter! That being said, there are a few classic first-time mistakes that are often made. Here is a quick list of common mistakes to avoid when pitching to an agent.

Check Your Ego

Agents are incredibly turned off by arrogant statements. Calling yourself the next “insert-bestselling-author’s-name-here” or an “undiscovered talent” will give the wrong impression to the person you’re trying to pitch to. It’s important not to mention that other agents are “missing out” or are “passing on a classic” if they reject your work. Remain humble and promote yourself wisely!

Rhetorical Questions

This is a classic first-time query mistake. Asking something like “Have you ever wondered about life in the Middle Ages?” before describing the setting of your book is a big no. Rhetorical questions are obvious fillers, often used when a writer isn’t confident in their introductory sentences. Rhetorical questions raise eyebrows in all writing, regardless of the form. Avoid them!

Pitching Two Books

If you have two finished manuscripts that you’re dying to get published, it can be tempting to include both in your pitch. If you catch yourself doing that, stop immediately. Pitching more than one project in a single query letter is almost guaranteeing yourself a rejection.

Criticizing Others

If you speak ill of another author, another book, a rival literary agency, or a publishing house, you will raise massive red flags. While writing and publishing may be a competitive business, criticizing others shows your own insecurities. It also tells the agent that you may be difficult to work with.

Messy Formatting or Spelling Errors

Your query letter tells an agent a lot about you. If there are mistakes in your spelling, grammar, or formatting then an agent will doubt you right off the bat. Do not give an agent any reason to pass on you – spell check all your work and pre-format your letter in a word document before sending it via email.

How to Deal with Rejection

Something important to keep in mind is that authors face a lot of rejection in their lives. World-famous authors such as Agatha Christie, J.K. Rowling, and Jack Canfield spent years facing rejection letter after rejection letter. The best way to handle rejection is to move on to the next. Don’t let anything stop you from trying and trying again.

If you face a stream of rejection letters, it may be time to reevaluate your query letter. Sometimes it is not the book that agents don’t like, sometimes it’s just how you pitched it. If you’re finding minimal success, try re-writing your query to fit standard guidelines. That will help you look more professional in your pitch.

Good luck!